CHRIS TURNER saluted his side’s character if not their defensive skills after a crucial win over Hereford that ignited their relegation fight.

Late Sam Collins and Antony Sweeney goals booked Hartlepool a 4-2 win over the Bulls, who twice levelled quickly after Joel Porter’s first half double.

Pools’ score one, concede-one-straight-away display was symptomatic of their season but they are now four points clear of danger with Turner confident they will stay up with enough firepower to compensate for their flaws.

“The game showed why we are where we are in the table,” said the acting manager.

“Going forward and taking chances we are probably a top eight side in this division, at home especially. But at the other end, we have a problem.

“There’s been 10 games now when we have scored a goal and the opposition have got one back straight away.

“From my point of view it’s a dilemma because you wonder if you should take away from the attacking side of it and go all defensive, hope for a clean sheet and a 0-0?

“But can you sit back there and think we will keep a clean sheet away from home.

“I’ve kept it going at the other end and brought players in to give us attacking options to try and outscore teams.

“We didn’t play well but all that mattered is a win. The opposition came back twice and it was a bit anxious at times but they kept going and got their rewards.”

Febian Brandy and Marc Pugh hit equalisers for Hereford but Collins nodded in Andy Monkhouses’s corner and Sweeney added another header soon after from a Porter chip.